Latest Updates on Vancouver Canucks' Top Prospects

The Vancouver Canucks may have secured Henrik and Daniel Sedin for the next four years, but the future of the team still lies in the hands of the young prospects who have joined the franchise in the past few years.

When we checked in last month, North American hockey leagues were just getting under way, and some of the stats didn't provide much insight into the prospects' performances. With over a month between, this update should provide more telling numbers.

5. Nicklas Jensen

If you feel like every time you hear Nicklas Jensen's name, the anticipation he brings lessens, you aren't alone.

Nicklas Jensen, once a coveted prospect, has not developed as many believed he would.

Last update, Jensen had yet to play a game with the Utica Comets of the AHL due to a shoulder injury. He has since recovered and returned to the ice, but his outlook is still bleak.

Jensen has now appeared in seven of the team's 14 games, picking up just three assists during that time. If Jensen plans on suiting up for the Canucks again (or in the NHL, at all for that matter), he'll have to make a few improvements to his game.

In Jensen's defense, it's hard to produce offensively as a member of the worst team in the league. The Comets have just six points this season with a 2-10-1-1 record and have averaged just 2.07 goals per game.

2. Hunter Shinkaruk

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Since being selected 24th overall in last summer's NHL entry draft, Hunter Shinkaruk has done nothing but impress. After coming so close to cracking the Canucks' lineup, Shinkaruk rejoined the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL, where he has played since 2010-11.

When we last checked in, Shinkaruk had seven points in the first four games with the Tigers. After missing 14 games with a hip injury, Shinkaruk has recently returned to the lineup and now has 11 points in nine games on the season.

Shinkaruk returned to Vancouver November 15 when the Tigers faced the Vancouver Giants. Following the final buzzer, he squared off with Dalton Thrower during a line brawl. It's safe to say Thrower got the best of Hunter this time.